Blackpool V Nottm Forest at Bloomfield Road : Match Preview

07 February 2014 01:31

Ricardo Fuller is likely to require a late fitness test before Blackpool host in-form Nottingham Forest.

Fuller has not appeared since January 11, the second-to-last game of Paul Ince's reign, but the striker is nearing a comeback from his hamstring problem.

Utility-man Neal Bishop has been absent for almost as long but, following a hamstring injury of his own, he is hopeful of taking part when Forest bid to extend their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions at Bloomfield Road.

Midfielder Elliot Grandin rejoined the club on Thursday and could play, but interim manager Barry Ferguson, who will not play himself while he has the managerial reins, insists it may take him another week to 10 days before he is fully up to speed.

Nottingham Forest have been dealt a double injury blow with the news that David Vaughan and Henri Lansbury look set to miss the remainder of the season.

Vaughan, on loan from Sunderland, faces around three months out with a knee injury while fellow central midfielder Lansbury is expected to be out for as similar amount of time after fracturing his lower back. Chris Cohen, Dexter Blackstock (both knee) and Kelvin Wilson (back) are already long-term absentees.

Full-back Eric Lichaj is nursing a knock and midfielder Djamel Abdoun has a gash on his leg that could make him a doubt. However, Jack Hobbs, Danny Fox, Kevin Gomis and Rafik Djebbour are available having been ineligible for the FA Cup win over Preston in midweek.

Andy Reid and Jamie Paterson were both rested from the staring line-up at Deepdale and are likely to be restored to the side when the Reds return to Lancashire to face the Tangerines.